SR1490 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1490 LRB099 20107 MST 44530 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Elizabeth Marie "Betty" Smith of Canton, who passed away on January 18, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Smith was born in Canton to Lorenzo and Theresa (nee Rubeo) Bertetto on January 27, 1926; she graduated from Canton High School in 1944 and married Dale Robert Smith in Lewistown on November 16, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Smith was active in politics; she could often be found hitting the campaign trail in support of her beloved son and former Illinois State Representative, Mike Smith; she served on the Board of Directors of the Canton YWCA and was a member of the Fulton County League of Democratic Women, serving in various capacities, including President; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Smith was a dedicated member of the Graham Hospital Service League, where she was recognized for her work as Chairwoman of the committee responsible for making puppets to distribute to the children admitted to the hospital; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Smith had a passion for collecting; her collection of salt and pepper shakers is one of the largest in the area with over 10,000 pairs; she also collected several hundred cookie jars and Fiestaware in all of the colors of the rainbow; one of her most prized possessions was a pair of salt and pepper shakers given to her by President Barack Obama; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Smith; her son, State Representative Michael Smith; her parents; her 2 sisters, Margret Walker and Dominca Lancaster; and her 5 brothers, Joseph Bertetto, Dominic Bertetto, Peter Bertetto, Charles Bertetto, and John Bertetto; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Smith is survived by her children, Sandra (Leon) Schuman and Patricia Fowler; her daughter-in-law, Donna Smith; her sister-in-law, Harriett Bertetto; her 4 grandchildren, Greg Schuman, Amy Tiff, Angela (Tim) Burke, and Natalie Fowler; her 5 great-grandchildren; and her great-great-grandchild; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Elizabeth Marie "Betty" Smith, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Elizabeth Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.